Microstructure Designing of Porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate for Control of Reactions in the Bone

Abstract:

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Porous materials of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-Ca3(PO4)2; β-TCP) were prepared from
porous hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; HA) with calcium deficient composition of Ca/P molar
ratio of 1.50 synthesized by hydrothermal method. The porous β-TCP was composed of rod-shaped
particles of about 10-20 μm in length. Rod-shaped particles were locked together to make
micro-pores, and the size of micro-pores formed by tangling of rod-shaped particles was about
0.1-0.5 μm. The particle size and micro-pore size could be controlled by our unique method. It must
be suitable for the bone graft material and as the scaffold of cultured bone.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the calcium-phosphate material with composition closest to that of human bone, what makes it suitable for osseous implant purposes, namely as fillers, spacers and bone grafts substitutes. This study is aimed at the development of a method to produce porous spherical hydroxyapatite granules. The process involves the spraying of a suspension with different amounts of a setting agent to a setting media. The tailor and the control of the morphology, size and
porosity of the granules were attained by adjusting the nozzle diameter, the pressure of air flow and the distance between the nozzle and the setting media.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate bioceramics and bovine bone xenograft with or without sintering are more or less used in orthopaedics or in maxillofacial surgery. In this study we compare in a rat femoral epiphysis model after 3 weeks of implantation the bone in growth at the expense of granules of same size of micro macro porous biphasic calcium phosphate MBCP, sintered bovine bone and unsintered BioOss.

Abstract: Bioactive ceramics such as bioactive glasses, calcium carbonate and sintered hydroxyapatite are widely used in biomaterials field because of their high biocompatibility. In this study, natural hydroxyapatite (N-HA) and synthetic Hydroxyapatite (S-HA) were heat treated at 800°C and studied using “in vitro” experiments. Several physicochemical methods like: SRD, FTIR, SEM and ICP-OES were employed to evaluate the effects of the thermal treatment and to compare their behaviour after soaking in the Simulated Body Fluid SBF at different times. The formation of TCP has favours the formation of new phase. Obtained results show that the dissolution occurred more in N-HA than in S-HA and consequently the precipitation of new phosphate phase is more important in N-HA. This is due to the presence of Mg, Sr and Zn in N-HA with concentration higher to that in S-HA.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteoconductive properties of synthetic porous hydroxyapatite prepared by low-temperature microwave processing OssaBase® HA (SPHA) in comparison with biological apatite, non-sintered deproteinized bovine bone Bio-Oss® (DBB). The materials were implanted into the bone sockets of the tibia of Beagle dogs for 3 and 6 months. The bone response to granules of the materials of similar sizes was compared. Histological analysis of the specimens with histomorphometry was performed at different times after in vivo implantation. Based on the histological analysis, the level of bone formation in the spaces between the implanted granules and through the interconnected pores of both implanted materials within a cortical region was significantly higher (bone area ingrowth 72–85%) than within a cancellous bone site (bone area ingrowth 16–28%) at three and six months after implantation. According to our study, the bioactive and osteoconductive properties (bone implant contact and bone area ingrown) of the synthetic porous hydroxyapatite are very high and comparable with the biological apatite, non-sintered deproteinized bovine bone. The favourable influence of the high specific surface area and carbonate content of the synthetic, porous hydroxyapatite on bone formation was confirmed.